24
Chapter 24
A single post by Abraham had set the community ablaze.
Everything written in that post was a hot topic of discussion.
Level 7, the highest peak reached by anyone who had verified their level so far.
And that Level 7 was putting on a show that was practically suicidal.
The existence of the Dark Cloud, which seemed to be the cause of George's Raid Party's annihilation.
And the region called 'Tivera', where that Dark Cloud was expected to appear.
It was sad that a user named Abraham, who had been around since the community's early days, was making such an extreme choice, but the real, real problem for me was...
Tivera was located right next to Symphonia, where I was.
Ah, damn it.
If I'm not careful, the sparks could fly this way.
This is no time to be lounging around just because one project finished.
It's possible Abraham is just momentarily losing his mind and talking nonsense, and since I'm in the mountains, the demons might not come or might not see us, but if I don't prepare...
Everything I've built up until now could turn to ashes.
The people who followed and relied on me would vanish in an instant.
Even if I survived alone to plan for the future, could I ever gather a force like this again?
Could I find another powerhouse like Rake who gives me their absolute trust?
No. No way. I couldn't start in a better position than I have now.
- Everyone, listen up...!
My vassals, with whom I can communicate instantly.
I summoned Rake, Paya, and Muri and warned them to be careful, as there might be a massive demon invasion of the Tivera region starting tomorrow.
"Move it, quickly! Cover the Breeding Ground with tents and build the fences higher!"
"Keep the children from going outside!"
"From now on, no shouting!"
The Tribe Alliance entered a state of full emergency preparation.
Now that I've assigned the tasks to the leaders, it's time for me to gather more information through the community.
First, I looked at the comments on Abraham's post.
[Melee-type Spy: You crazy bastard, seriously don't do it]
[Not a Netkama: Are you actually serious right now? Or are you just trolling like those Kozaburo posts from a spy?]
[Rising Phoenix: Oh, this is gold LOL. Let's go watch~!]
[Full Play: No T_T please don't T_T]
[Corner-room First-pick: What is he doing;; I've seen High-tier Demons a few times and they're practically gods;; Even the Pope said it was hopeless and bolted... Mister, what are you trying to do? Stop it]
└ [Ppu Ppu Ppung: Calling them gods is a bit much, maybe just gods of a polytheistic religion?]
└ [Corner-room First-pick: That's basically the same thing;;]
└ [Princess Dina: They aren't absolute beings, but from our perspective, they are infinitely powerful. The Dark Cloud Demon is one of the strongest among those High-tier Demons.]
└ [Morning Tent Installation Knight: Look at these Level 10 Holy Knights acting all high and mighty. A man is about to die, and you're arguing over that?]
[Holy Holy Knight: Please don't...]
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: If you're gonna die, just hang yourself. Why bring the demons into this? What did the Holy Knights living in Tivera do to deserve this?]
[Dino Punch: Please calm your mind and take a look at the gathering diary I posted.]
There were many other comments besides this one; it seemed almost every user in the community had left a message on Abraham's post.
Most of them were trying to talk him out of it.
As for information, the takeaway was that High-tier Demons are so powerful they're practically like gods.
I had never encountered a High-tier Demon even in the game. This was my first piece of information regarding them.
I should also keep in mind that Corner-room First-pick's claims about being with the Pope might actually be true.
If it's the Pope, he must be a person of immense power among the natives. He might be useful someday.
I looked through other posts.
[Bramanda: Abraham, we arrived here around the same time, right?
Honestly, it's not like I haven't had similar thoughts. I've been living in hiding for several years now.
I often felt dark impulses, but every time that happened, I found comfort in this community.
You must be pushed to your limit right now. Everything that's been building up finally exploded.
I can understand how you feel.
A puppy I was caring for died a few days ago.
It was a young thing wandering the mountains alone, so I brought it home and looked after it. I truly thought of it as family.
It felt like my whole world was collapsing. I'm only able to talk about it now.
Let's pull ourselves together.
You've lived your life so diligently. Even the great George peaked at Level 6.
It would be such a tragedy for you, who reached Level 7, to die like this.
You worked so hard to become this strong, so why? You don't know when another opportunity might come.
I really hope you don't do this. Sincerely.]
Bramanda... a user who used to joke around with Abraham in the early days.
I recall seeing them exchange words about forming a raid party together.
Perhaps Bramanda's post could change Abraham's mind.
No, I hope it does.
...However, Abraham never checked the post or left a reply.
He didn't post anything, nor did he leave any comments.
As if he had completely made up his mind.
***
Late at night, without even a glimmer of light.
While all the barbarians were sleeping in breathless silence, I called for Rake.
"What is it?"
There's a saying about turning a crisis into an opportunity.
In a way, this is a chance to identify the enemy's true nature, their scale, and a clear target to defeat.
To do that, I had to make an unreasonable request of her.
- I don't know the exact time, but tomorrow, demons will invade the Tivera region. It's almost certain. As a Loa, I need to grasp the reality of the enemy. So...
This was the first time I had asked for a sacrifice in the face of such immense danger. It felt weightier than asking her to catch Infected or visit the Necromancer's Tomb.
The words wouldn't come out easily.
Rake, who had been listening in silence, spoke up.
"Lord Mallak, your voice is trembling."
So it was obvious. I really was pushed to my limit.
"Do you think you are about to ask me to do something I shouldn't?"
Her eyes glowed softly in the night, like those of a nocturnal animal.
"It is your command. It is a necessary task, and likely one that only I can do."
Rake approached Totem No. 1 and placed her hand on it. I could feel the warmth.
It was the only tactile sensation I could feel in this body.
"I am not afraid, for you are with me, Lord Mallak."
There was no hesitation in her voice.
Knowing that allowed me to steady my heart.
- Chief Rake. I need to see how much power those things possess. Come with me.
"As you wish. When should we depart?"
Just as she trusted me, I decided to trust her.
In the early morning, Rake moved stealthily toward Tivera.
While granting Rake Divine Descent, I opened the community and multitasked.
[Rising Phoenix: Anyone want to come watch~?
It's been a while since we've had such entertaining content, you can't miss this, right?
Bring your popcorn~!]
Is this just a persona, or is this person actually insane?
After learning in the army that all sorts of people exist in this world, I can't see this as just a joke.
After running without rest, Rake arrived in Tivera around noon.
Boom! Boom!
The sounds of explosions echoed.
Rake's superhuman vision captured the distant battlefield.
It was a place like a city, larger and more developed than a village.
"A battle is in full swing."
Bang! Boom!
A Holy Knight who appeared to be Abraham was fighting a massive Cobra Demon.
It wasn't just any cobra, but a fire-attribute cobra that spat flames from its mouth. One with a body stretching dozens of meters.
It would be too late to stop Abraham now.
- Let's find a suitable spot and watch.
"...There is someone nearby. Someone who was hiding."
Rake looked around.
"They've noticed us. They're coming this way."
- It's fine.
Soon, a man revealed himself. He was a Holy Knight wearing armor.
"What, are you here to watch too? What's with that one eye? Is it a skill?"
The man smirked. I wondered if this was Rising Phoenix.
It seemed he had mistaken Rake for a fellow Possessor since she was wearing Holy Knight pauldrons.
Unlike a barbarian, she looked like a civilized person, and her skin tone was Caucasian.
- Stay still.
Rake, who had been fidgeting with her curved sword, followed my instruction.
The man scanned Rake from head to toe.
"Wow, you really hit the jackpot with a beauty. I bet looking in the mirror makes life feel worth living, huh?"
He was practically dying to show off that he was a Possessor.
"Abraham is an incredible fighter. He just tore through three low-tier demons by himself; even mid-tier demons couldn't keep up. Want to watch with me?"
It would be best to keep my distance from this guy.
His glazed eyes made him look like he had completely lost his mind.
If someone had been hiding from demons alone for months, there was a high chance they would become unstable.
- Ignore him and let's move.
Talking to this guy would be a waste of time. I doubted he possessed any useful information.
Rake nodded and stepped away.
"What, you're just leaving? This is the perfect spot."
Fortunately, the man didn't take much interest in us.
He seemed too busy watching the city enveloped in flames from the battle between Abraham and the Cobra Demon.
Rake took a position halfway up a mountain where the city was clearly visible.
"It is easy to hide here."
- I see.
Thump!
Just then, Abraham's shining sword severed the Cobra Demon's neck in a single strike.
Hiss-! Hiss-! Hiss-!
Abraham stood there blankly, staring at the Cobra Demon's head, which continued to twitch its mouth.
Since his back was turned, I couldn't see his face.
I wonder what he was thinking right now.
He simply kept watching until the Cobra Demon turned to ash.
After some time had passed.
Whoooosh—
An ominous wind began to blow, and the sky darkened.
A sudden supernatural phenomenon.
"Something... is coming. Something massive and evil."
Rake curled her body even further, as if she felt something.
I could see the entity staining the clear sky pitch black.
The dark cloud.
It was the Dark Cloud Demon.
It was a disaster, a natural calamity.